Full disclosure: I have been a referee for over fifteen years. I know all too well that the job is thankless, demanding, and mistakes happen. We’re human. I’m also pro-VAR for the most part. Sure, it slowed the game down and rather than quash endless post-match debates over whether the ref blew the call, it merely shifted that debate into what VAR-induced debacle tainted the game.
The Call
Yesterday’s Chelsea-Fulham match is a prime example of that. Joshua King’s wonderful debut goal for the Cottagers was called back in what might go down as one of the worst VAR interventions ever. Referee Robert Jones saw the initial contact from Muniz, his positioning was spot-on, and he let play continue. King proceeded to score from the ensuing Muniz pass.
Fact: Muniz did step on Trevor Chalobah’s foot but it was part of a spinning maneuver to avoid the defender. The contact was a normal part of play. In my opinion (and that of 99% of pundits far savvier than myself), VAR referee Michael Salisbury overstepped in making Jones go to the monitor to review.
The Non-Call
Let’s compare this to the non-call on Tijjani Reijnders for planting full studs into Gomez’s ankle after he played the ball. The referee determined this contact was a normal part of play. Did VAR step in to question this? No.
If Stockley Park can condone that via its silence, how can they justify their interference on Muniz? Both incidents had stoppages in which VAR could review. Just because a goal resulted from one over the other shouldn’t be a factor. You should be calling it both ways.
Some Consistency, Please!
In addition to enforcing the laws of the game and ensuring player safety, a referee’s core function is to be consistent. If you call something one way, be sure you call it consistently all ways. VAR isn’t doing that. I’m not a conspiracy nut who’s claiming Chelsea won because of VAR (though the decision altered the game dynamic). But young Joshua King had his debut goal stolen, and that fact doesn’t need review.
Update
After publishing this article, it was announced that Michael Salisbury was removed from VAR duties for the Liverpool vs. Arsenal game and that the PGMO reportedly admitted an error was made in the Chelsea match.
